Traveling a horse from Herfordshire, UK to Latvia

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eva

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Hello all you lovely folk!

As my life situation has changed dramatically (split up from a boyfriend of 10 years), I now want to relocate my 5yo 15.3 gelding to Latvia where my family is. The question is, how do I do that? Could you knowledgeable peoplecomment on the following options or suggest an alternative?
I would love to spend as little as possible, but could probably part with some 4-5k in the worst case scenario.

1) buy own horsebox (under 3.5t) and travel on my own (how long would it take? It's 1500 miles)
Would a 4k lorry be reliable enough to undertake this journey?
Pros: I would have a lorry in the end of it

2) can I hire a nice lorry, say a Theault, and do a round trip on my own and then within a week return it to the rental?

3) pro transporters (ETA, John Parker etc) all the way, will prob cost around £2500

4) pro transporters to Germany as it's cheaper and then buy a horsebox there a d travel onwards by road ---- or by ferry to Latvia ---- has anyone got and info on taking a horsebox on a ferry?

Any ideas? Also, would it be dangerous to do in winter with ice on roads?
 
Use a transporter, far easier and less stress :) They'l;l make the call on safety and will have reliable lorries/sort it out if they don't. I assume it'd be too expensive to fly him? That'd be least stress as it's so far.
 
Use a transporter. It may well be cheaper once you factor in channel crossing, tolls, fuel etc. Also they will ensure that you have the correct paperwork, that their lorry has correct paperwork (a nightmare in Europe at present) They will know and have regular arrangements for overnight stabling etc. If you do decide to go it alone contact Shelley Ashman who will help you with Export Licence, Vet health checks for all the countries you will travel through etc etc. Big companies are John Parker International and ETA horse transport.
 
1) you will not be able to find a decent 3.5 ton box for £4k let alone one to travel that far on your own, they really are not going to be suited to that distance either from the point of view of the horse.

2) hiring and self driving is risky, not sure you will find anyone willing to let you go off with their lorry either they are unlikely to get insurance easily to cover breakdown in that part of the world.

3) definitely the best option, everything done for you, the horse will get the care required, pro drivers who will only drive the correct number of hours with breaks as needed.

4) what if you get there and cannot find a lorry, it seems too risky unless you know people who can help you set it up.

Contact the pros and get quotes, it may be less than you expect if you are flexible about dates.
 
I would get quotes from the pros for the whole trip and also what may work is to ship to northern germany and then get a german company to go on to Latvia as they will be used to that trip with horses that have been bought at auction. next big auctions are PSI early December and Verden end January so is it possible to tie in with them? I can recomend http://www.johannsmann-pferdetransporte.de/de/ johannsmann or http://gklatte.de/ guido klatte if you want to see what it would cost with a split journey. Will pm you with another contact :)
 
You want to try and get your horse in as big a lorry as possible; they have better suspension/ air cushioning and it's considerably easier on your horses legs.
Also don't put yourself through driving a 3.5 to Latvia. That sounds hellish, especially if you don't drive for work/ do long distance regularly. Plus buying something here to take to latvia seems the wrong way around the economy.

John Parker are amazing. Would recommend.

Also, do consider asking about air freight. Sometimes the short cut makes it not such a bad option. Can be pricey though.
 
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